Many veterans still waiting to be welcomed home

Two simple words: Welcome Home. These are words that many of our Vietnam Veterans have never heard.  The pain is still there, still raw, so many years later.  All gave some, some gave all.  

Can you even imagine the difference between the veterans that came home after serving their country overseas after Vietnam and how they are welcomed home now coming in from Afghanistan or Iraq?

Recently, a fallen hero was welcomed home for his final resting place in Tampa, Florida.  The streets were lined with thousands of people paying tribute to a young soldier who sacrificed his life on behalf of his nation. When fallen heroes came home from Vietnam, they traveled at night, in boxcars of trains, in order to avoid the demonstrations against an unpopular war.

For those that come home through airports or other travels, there are groups of citizens that applaud, shake hands, give a pat on the back or a hug.  Just 30 to 40 years ago, many came home to their families and communities were ignored or worse and were never welcomed home.  Two simple words that hold a wealth of meaning and are still waiting to be heard to this day.

As we approach Veterans Day, a day that is intended to honor the service of all U.S. military veterans, let us take a moment to pause and be grateful to those who served our nation, served us, and deserve our thoughts, our thanks, our support and our words, Welcome Home.

Take the time, every day, to thank those around you for having served and those who are serving still.  It is never too late to say Thank You, and as we learn through those around us still waiting to hear the words, it is never too late to say Welcome Home.  Get Involved.  Visit FreedomPassItOn.org.